Billy Joel, Ringo Starr Saxophonist Mark Rivera Drops By And Shares Some Stories Behind The Music

[@tomcarr4630]

Just got the book. Can’t wait to start reading it. The first time I saw Mark was at a Ringo concert. Was blown away! The next time was with Billy Joel. Was so excited when I saw Mark take the stage. A talented, versatile hard working musician.

[@chriskelvin248]

Never heard of a guy named Mark Rivera before tonight. Tonight, my wife shows me her chiropractor’s FB post- a video of a sax and keyboard player performing “New York State of Mind” at a local firehouse (it’s 9/11 today). The guy is alternating between riffing on the sax and singing the song. As I watch I’m thinking, this guy is really good. Soon, it’s dawning on me that this guy is beyond that, he’s gotta be somebody. My wife does a Google image search to ID this guy, leads me to this video…it turns out that “this guy” is responsible for the majority of the whistling, humming and tapping that I have ever done in my life. It turns out that, until tonight, I hadn’t a clue that “this guy” was one of my biggest musical influences…if I ever bump into you Mark, I will shake your hand and buy you a beer.

[@glenntomassi3442]

Excellent!"Mark Rivera great stories! Great musician!

[@gregoryambres1897]

💪🏆 Mark is classy and real. I adore him. 🏆💪

[@maxhoecker]

Wow! Mark Rivera! Been a fan since the late 70s. I actually got teary when he played the NY State of Mind solo 🎷

[@carmelamericano]

Just read the book--Incredible! Thanks for such a good interview, and thank YOU Mark for the inspiration over so many years. 👊🎷

[@jude1515]

I read the book and it was great. Mark Rivera is very talented and also good with the crowd. The saxophone solo in Urgent is great! Awesome interview.

[@adambenedict6536]

Best ever

[@adambenedict6536]

Is there anything this guy can't do?

[@Brooklynmusicforum]

My old bandmate Steve Madaio, played that horn line for Stevie

[@seanscanlon9067]

I did not even recognise that as New York State of Mind.